Historic Preservation Defense: Legal Protection in Cultural Heritage Crimes

Georgia, a country with an ancient culture, places special emphasis on the protection of historical and cultural monuments. Damaging or destroying cultural heritage carries not only administrative fines but also serious criminal liability. Often, developers, builders, or private owners wishing to build in historic zones or restore old buildings unintentionally become violators due to improper permits or mishandling of works. The Criminal Code strictly punishes intentional damage to monuments, illegal archaeological excavations, and the illicit export of cultural valuables. In such cases, qualified legal assistance is essential both to defend against charges and for prevention, ensuring business operations are not halted and criminal liability is avoided.

Legal.ge offers lawyers specializing in cultural heritage law. Our specialists will help you verify the legality of permits, develop a defense strategy in case of accusations, and resolve disputes related to historical monuments.

What Does Historic Preservation Defense Service Cover?

The service covers both criminal defense and preventive consultation:

Defense in Criminal Cases: Defending against charges related to damaging or destroying a cultural heritage monument (Articles 259^1 et seq. of the Criminal Code).
Disputes Related to Archaeological Works: Legal assistance in cases of accusations of illegal archaeological excavations.
Refuting Negligence Charges: Defending owners accused of failing to maintain a monument, leading to its damage.
Analysis of Expert Conclusions: Legal assessment of art history and architectural expertise results and conducting alternative expertise.
Representation at the Cultural Heritage Agency: Managing administrative disputes that precede or accompany criminal prosecution.

Common Scenarios When You Need This Service

Risks related to historic preservation crimes arise in the following situations:

Unauthorized Construction/Reconstruction: Altering the appearance of a building in a historic district (e.g., Old Tbilisi) without a permit, leading to a loss of the monument's value.
Archaeological Discoveries: Finding an archaeological object during construction and continuing work without informing the agency, resulting in damage to the object.
Treasure Hunting: So-called "black archaeology" and damage to cultural layers.
Vandalism: Defacing or damaging the walls of historical monuments.

Georgian Legal Framework

The field is regulated by the Law of Georgia on Cultural Heritage and the Criminal Code (Articles 259^1 - 259^4). Legislation strictly distinguishes between intentional damage to a monument (a more serious crime) and damage caused by negligence. Liability also extends to legal entities, which may face liquidation or revocation of the right to operate. Additionally, the offender may be obligated to restore the monument to its original state or compensate for damages.

Steps in the Process with a Specialist

Cooperation with a lawyer involves:

Fact Investigation: Verifying the status of the object (whether it is a monument) and the documentation of works performed.
Intent Analysis: Gathering evidence to prove that the action was not aimed at destroying the monument (e.g., it was an attempt to fix an emergency situation).
Expertise: Determining whether the monument was actually damaged and the extent of such damage.
Court Defense: Protecting the interests of the accused during the investigation and in court.

Why Legal.ge?

Cultural heritage law is a niche specialization requiring knowledge not only of criminal law but also of art history and architectural regulations. Legal.ge gives you access to lawyers experienced in defending both private owners and development companies in such disputes. Protect your rights and freedom with the help of professionals.